Money for school meals is payable via the Agora 'pay your school' website. This enables safe online payments for your child 24/7. When your child joins Orchard Park, you will be issued with details on how to set up your child's account. The charge for child meals is £2.25 per day.

We regret that it is not possible to allow meals on credit. Failure to pay in advance may result in your child being refused a meal. If you receive certain named benefits your child will be entitled to free school meals. Please see the details below or ask at the School Office for more details if you think you may be eligible. All enquiries will be dealt with in confidence.

If your child has any special dietary requirements (for example gluten or dairy free), please complete a Menu Planning form which can be downloaded here. The menu for your child will then be planned eliminating the reported allergens. It will be nutritionally balanced where possible and as close to the standard menu as the diet will allow. The ABM kitchens are nut free environments and every precaution is taken to eliminate cross contamination with all allergens. However, ABM cannot guarantee 100% allergen free.

You may chose to provide a packed lunch for your child. For reasons of safety and hygiene we request that the lunch is packed in an appropriate container, eg a plastic box which is labelled with the child's name and class. All drinks must be in a carton or a plastic, watertight container. Cans or bottles of fizzy drink are not permitted. We ask that the food you provide is healthy and of the type that children can manage easily.

Parents are asked to ensure that sweets are not allowed in school.

Free School Meals

Children from households with lower incomes may be entitled to free school meals (FSM). It is possible to apply online for FSM's for primary school children by logging on to the website:

All pupils in Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 in state funded schools are automatically entitled to receive a school lunch, through the introduction of the Government's Universal Infants Free School Meals Policy (UIFSM). This is applicable to all Key Stage 1 pupils regardless of their household income.

Under current legislation, for every child that receives free school meals due to their household income eligibility, the school also receives a sum of money from central government called Pupil Premium. This additional funding is spent on resources that enhance the learning opportunities for FSM entitled children.

Parents are requested to provide their date of birth and National Insurance number when children join the school to ensure that all Key Stage 1 children are checked for pupil premium eligibility.

Further information regarding Education Welfare Benefits is available by logging on to the website:

If you have any queries regarding FSMs and Pupil Premium please do not hesitate to ask at the School Office where the staff will be only too happy to assist.

Please click here for a copy of the Pupil Premium application form.

Birthday Lunches

The school cook can prepare a special birthday table for your child. When it is your child's birthday they will be able to ask 6 friends to sit with them at this special table. The children will be able to choose a meal from the main course and then enjoy a decorated birthday sponge for dessert. Each child taking part must have a hot dinner. The cost per child is £2.25 (usual dinner money). The 'Birthday Lunches' form is to be returned to the School Office at least two weeks before the birthday lunch is required.